Saturday, November 19, 2011

Laos - village colours

Without doubt, there is something very relaxing about very remote villages. It is poverty of course that force the people to use whatever is around, but for a temporary visitor the lack of electricity and motor bikes and about anything plastic is a wonderful contrast to the constant noise and hysterical visual contamination of Asian cities.

In a pretty well off (relatively that is) village along the Nam Tha river.


A small village primary school high up in Phongsaly mountains. Temporarily (they said) closed during rice harvesting as everyone is needed on the fields.


House hold gear and little friends in a little village somewhere.


Kids it seems are kids everywhere.

In Laos

Last Sunday I took off for three weeks in Laos, two of work and one of pure vacation with my family who will join next Sunday. This first week I have spent way out in the countryside in the montaneous northern province of Phongsaly, and next week I will be in the just as remote northwestern province of Bokeo. A lot of hiking to small villages, fresh air and interesting food. When I'm back in Hanoi again early December I will post some more photos. The place is completely amazing.

Hiking through the bush to meet with the village goat farmer.
Dupkajok village, Khua district, Phongsaly province, Lao PDR.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Karate Ishin

Every Sunday Kai practices Karate with a bunch of Japanese kids. Yesterday they performed in front of 3000 people on the big stage at the annual Japanese Autumn Festival at the Japanese School.

Getting ready with some cotton sugar.

Quite an audience.

Warming up, getting organized.

The show. Well done!